The Interaction of High-Power Lasers with Plasmas

Shalom Eliezer, Plasma Physics Department, Soreq N.R.C., Yavne, Israel and Institute of Nuclear Fusion, Madrid Polytechnic University, Madrid, Spain.

The Interaction of High-Power Lasers with Plasmas provides a thorough self-contained discussion of the physical processes occurring in laser-plasma interactions, including a detailed review of the relevant plasma and laser physics. The book analyzes laser absorption and propagation, electron transport, and the relevant plasma waves in detail. It also discusses the physics of the electric and magnetic fields in a laser-induced plasma medium, laser-induced shock waves, rarefaction waves, heat waves, and the related hydrodynamic instabilities (Rayleigh-Taylor, Richtmyer-Meshkov, and Kelvin-Helmholtz). A pedagogical presentation, the book addresses the basic physics issues from first principles, using simple models wherever appropriate. The coverage provides a foundation on which the graduate student can build an understanding of the past and present research in this field. For the experienced researcher, the book is a comprehensive and useful presentation of laser-plasma interactions.

1 High Power Lasers, from Nanoseconds to Femtoseconds 2 Introduction to Plasma Physics for Electrons and Ions 3 The Three Approaches to Plasma Physics 4 The Ponderomotive Force 5 Laser Absorption and Propagation in Plasma 6 Waves in Laser-Produced Plasma 7 Laser-Induced Electric Fields in Plasma 8 Laser-Induced Magnetic Fields in Plasma 9 Thermal Conduction and Heat Waves 10 Shock Waves and Rarefaction Waves 11 Hydrodynamic Instabilities